Plan Commission approves rezoning at 1035 East Avenue with nine conditions

The Onalaska Plan Commission voted to rezone 1035 East Avenue North from low‑density residential (R‑1) to medium‑density residential (R‑3) in a 5–1 decision after public comment and staff presentation.

Jacob Mooney, the applicant, told commissioners he envisions “a well designed, ownership oriented, higher end attached housing” of roughly five units rather than a large apartment complex and said code would allow up to seven units. City Planner Katie Aspenson told the commission that the concept plan is preliminary and that approval of rezoning would require the developer to comply with the Unified Development Code and a later site‑plan review; staff prepared nine conditions to address parking, screening, buffering and other site details.

Neighbors urged caution, describing the block as predominantly single‑family and raising specific concerns about parking and pedestrian safety where sidewalks are not yet installed. Dan Doyle, who lives diagonally from the site on Lawrence Place, said the proposal “is going to downgrade the neighborhood and property values” if not carefully managed. Steve Metke and other nearby residents asked for setbacks, fencing or living buffers to protect existing yards.

Commissioner Eric Archer moved to approve the rezoning with the nine staff conditions; Jared Holter seconded. Commissioners discussed sewer main depth, sidewalk and right‑of‑way implications, and projected traffic (staff estimated roughly 25–30 additional daily trips for the development as shown). The motion passed with five votes in favor and one opposed.

Next steps: if the common council concurs the rezoning will take effect and the developer must submit a detailed site plan showing parking, landscaping and buffering for staff review.